New Lectures in History (300-0-20)

Topic

Kleptocracy in Eurasia

Instructors

Jeff Eden
847/491-7448

Meeting Info

Lutkin Hall: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

As the Soviet Union collapsed, the riches of its Eurasian empire were captured by elites in what is sometimes described as a "feeding frenzy." Ex-Soviet bureaucrats, businessmen, and mobsters swarmed to buy or seize former state property, companies, and natural wealth. Some had honed their skills (and made their first fortunes) during the market reforms of the 1980s; others were pure products of the new "Wild East" climate of deregulation and legal ambiguity. The most successful of them stashed fortunes in offshore banks and real estate. They purchased soccer teams and bankrolled mercenary armies. They helped turn London into "Londongrad," and built shadow economies worth untold billions. The post-Cold War world order has been forged to a remarkable degree by the mobile fortunes of these Eurasian kleptocrats. This class explores their history, from the late-Soviet period to the present day.

Learning Objectives

• Use the study and historical contextualization of primary sources to acquire knowledge of historical phenomena;
• Develop skills of historical analysis using primary sources as well as historiography, including the means to evaluate sources in their historical context;
• Express the results of primary document analysis effectively and persuasively in written, oral and visual forms.

Evaluation Method

Quizzes, document collection project, section.

Class Notes

History Major Concentration(s): European, Asia/Middle East
History Minor Concentration(s): Europe, Asia

Class Attributes

Historical Studies Foundational Discipline
Historical Studies Distro Area